Charges of Harassment Fly As Dean Ends Six-Year Tenure
By Josh Hartmann
Photography Editor
Associate Dean for Student Affairs James R. Tewhey resigned yesterday
afternoon amid charges and countercharges of harassment, as well as
claims of mismanagement in his office.
"He has some problems I think he needs to address at this time," said
Provost Mark S. Wrighton, who accepted Tewhey's resignation. "I think
he has made the commitment to resolve them. I think he has done the
right thing for himself and for MIT."
Tewhey is involved in a court battle with Katherine M. Nolan,
associate director of student financial aid, with whom he had an
18-month affair. Tewhey is currently under a restraining order
preventing contact with Nolan and her 9-year-old daughter. The order
was issued after both parties exchanged affidavits claiming
harassment.
Wrighton also praised Tewhey for his six years of service at MIT.
"He's been in a very difficult administrative position at MIT,"
Wrighton said. "He has executed his responsibilities well."
President Charles M. Vest said last night he had "no personal
comment." Tewhey did not respond to messages left last night.
EISENMANN ASSUMES DUTIES
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Andrew M. Eisenmann '75 was handed
Tewhey's day-to-day duties as head of the residence and campus
activities section yesterday, according to Kenneth D. Campbell,
director of the news office. While Dean for Undergraduate Education
and Student Affairs Arthur C. Smith is on vacation, Associate Dean
Robert M. Randolph will assume overall responsibility for Tewhey's
department.
"This is a difficult situation for all of us," Randolph said in a
statement to housemasters. "Jim has made major contributions to the
MIT community that have made this a better place."
MANAGEMENT STYLE QUESTIONED
Tewhey's resignation and allegations surrounding his affair with Nolan
will undoubtedly fuel the controversy over the Institute's handling of
sexual harassment complaints.
"I think the students will be well-served in the future as I think
they have been in the past," Wrighton said. "I hope we can continue to
provide the services we have in the past."
Past and present employees who worked under Tewhey offered conflicting
opinions of Tewhey's managerial ability before news of yesterday's
resignation spread.
Humanities lecturer Ann Russo has dealt with Tewhey on a number of
occasions as a lecturer in the Women's Studies Program. "There's been
a number of students and staff who have come to me with a number of
problems they've had dealing with Tewhey," she said, adding that she
felt many harassment cases were not handled properly.
"He did some inappropriate management things," said Adam Goodie, a
former Dean's Office assistant who worked in the Undergraduate
Asssociation office. "He had very little contact with me, which bugged
me."
But Mary Ni, assistant dean for student affairs, tells a different
story. "I did hear from some people that he wasn't a good boss," she
said. "My personal assessment is that I think he's pretty good. I have
found him to be very fair and thoughtful. His managerial style is
loose, but I don't find it terribly problematic."
Although sources said formal complaints were made regarding Tewhey's
management procedure, Wrighton said he was not aware of those concerns
and would not comment on personnel matters.
"I suspected MIT's plan was to get him out as soon as possible," said
one source who has worked with Tewhey. "It looks better for him to
resign than be fired. I don't think he stands any chance of getting a
student affairs position in Boston. It was a _fait accompli_ that he
was going to leave," said the source, who requested anonymity.
_(Editor's note: Hyun Soo Kim contributed to the reporting of this
story.)
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Copyright 1993 by The Tech. All rights reserved.
This storied was published on Wednesday, April 21, 1993.
Volume 113, Number 22
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